Interchangeable medical identification apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding a medical identification bracelet is shown and described herein. The apparatus comprises a medical identification tag which is held to a person&#39;s body by a jewelry holding means. The jewelry holding means may be a bracelet or a necklace. The jewelry holding means is releasably fastened to the medical identification tag so that the holding means is interchangeable.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/339,425 filed Dec. 11, 2001. Application serial No. 60/339,245 is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a person who is afflicted with a medical condition. In particular, the present invention relates to jewelry which provides personal and medical information about the wearer.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Medical identification bracelets are potentially life-saving devices. Such bracelets usually include a tag or charm indicating that the wearer has one or more of a variety of medical conditions. Such conditions may include diabetes, heart conditions, allergies, epilepsy or any number of other medical conditions. For people with such conditions, making their medical condition known to health care professionals or others is critical to ensure that they receive the correct kind of medical treatment, because receiving the wrong treatment can be fatal. If the person loses consciousness or suffers from a seizure, it is important that caretakers know about the pre-existing medical condition so that they may provide proper assistance.

[0004] The problem with prior art medical identification bracelets is that they are not aesthetically pleasing. Women and children, especially teenage girls, do not like to wear their potentially life-saving medical identification bracelets because they are large, cumbersome and/or not fashionable. Furthermore, many people like to wear jewelry to match a particular article of clothing or just enjoy wearing different jewelry for different occasions. Prior art medical identification bracelets do not provide this desired flexibility in fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In order to address the limitations in the prior art, the present invention provides a unique means for holding a medical identification tag on a person's body. The present invention comprises a medical identification tag including means for connecting a jewelry item such as a bracelet or necklace thereto. The jewelry portion of the apparatus is interchangeable such that multiple jewelry items can be utilized alternately with a single medical identification tag. The jewelry item may be provided in various styles and colors and attached to a tag or charm which identifies a medical condition, making a variety of styles and colors available to the wearer of the bracelet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a medical identification apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medical identification apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of a medical identification tag or charm in accordance with the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of a medical identification tag in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 5 is an alternative fastening means that may be used in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of a medical identification tag in accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 7 is a fastening means that may be used in connection with the medical identification tag shown in FIG. 7; and

[0013]FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of a holding means in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In this detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings illustrating a medical identification apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention comprises a means for holding a medical identification tag or charm, generally designated 2. The medical identification tag 2 contains information about one or more medical conditions afflicting the wearer of the apparatus. The tag 2 may also contain personal information about the wearer, such as name, address, phone number, emergency contact information and physician's name. It is contemplated that other information may also be included on the medical identification tag 2 as needed. The information may be placed on the tag by a number of means as well. The information may be engraved on one or more surfaces of the tag. The information may also be placed on the tag by means of an adhesive label on which the information is printed. Symbols or emblems representing particular conditions or diseases may also be placed on the tag.

[0016] The medical identification tags 2 may be comprised of metal, plastic, or other known materials. Although the figures herein show the tags in a rectangular shape, tags of any other regular or irregular shapes are contemplated by the present invention.

[0017] Other types of tags or charms are also contemplated by the present invention. Tags or charms including only identification information would be within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, any type of tags or charms that would be adapted to be attached to the bracelet portion of the present invention are also within the scope of the present invention, regardless of whether they contain any medical or identifying information. For instance, tags or charms in various colors or having various designs may be included in the scope of the present invention. The bracelet of the present invention may also be used to hold watches, compasses, microcomputer devices or any other small electronic device.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medical identification tag 2 comprises one or more symbols or emblems 6 to distinguish the tag from other, ordinary jewelry. The indicator symbol alerts medical professionals or others to look at the bracelet for information about potential medical conditions.

[0019] The identification tag 2 of the present invention comprises apertures or holes 4 on opposite ends of the tag 2. The holding means may be attached to the tag at these openings.

[0020] In a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, the medical identification tag has connecting rings 12 positioned in the apertures. Such connecting rings 12 can be used to facilitate connecting the tag 2 to a jewelry holding means 8.

[0021] The means for holding the medical identification tag (“holding means”) 8 or bracelet portion of the present invention may be comprised of any number of designs. The jewelry holding means may be comprised of one or more beads strung on a line of jewelry wire, string, plastic floss, or other similar material. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, beads of any known type and may include crystal beads, precious stones, mineral stones, fossil stones, metals, precious metals, or beads having letters, numbers or symbols thereon may be used in the present invention. Other types of beads capable of being strung on wire or string are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. The jewelry may also be made of metal links or chains such as the links shown in FIG. 8.

[0022] On each end of the holding means, is a releasable fastener 10. The fastener 10 is a fastener of any known type used in jewelry. In one preferred embodiment, the tag 2 has a male connector type while the holding means has a female connector type. For instance, the fastener may be a spring clasp as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the fastener may be a spiral type fastener such as the one shown in FIG. 5 which are commonly used in key rings. Fasteners of the type shown in FIG. 5 will be referred to as spiral clasps herein. Another fastener is a hinge type clasp as shown in FIGS. 6-7. In such an embodiment, the apertures 4′ in the medical identification tag 2 are rectangular and positioned very close to the edge of the tag. The hinge clasp shown in FIG. 7 engages this aperture. The hinge clasp has a rolled end 20 at its lower portion. This end is positioned in the aperture 4′ of the tag 2. The hinge clasp also comprises recesses 22 to receive the outer edge of the tag. The upper section of the clasp is connected to the lower section by a hinge. The upper section has one or more spring fingers 24 which frictionally engage the rolled edge portion 20. The hinge clasp may further comprise a tab 26 to facilitate the opening of the clasp. Other fasteners that are generally known in the jewelry art and which are also within the scope of the present invention include but are not limited to jump rings and hooks.

[0023] As stated above, in a preferred embodiment (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8), two female fastening means as described above are positioned on opposite sides of the holding means. In this arrangement, the opposite ends of the holding means can be connected to the apertures in opposite ends of the tag 2. In another embodiment, the female connectors are positioned on opposite ends of the medical identification tag while the holding means has male connectors attached to each end thereof (not shown). Another alternative would be to have one female fastening means on one end of the holding means and a male connector on the other (not shown). The medical identification tag would have a similar arrangement so that the female fastening means of the holding means could be attached to the male connector of the bracelet and vice versa.

[0024] Each holding means 8 is releasably fastened to the openings 4 in each end of the medical identification tag. The holding means are simple to be removed from the tag so that the holding means is interchangeable. As a result, a wearer will be able to match a medical identification apparatus to other jewelry, an outfit or their mood on a particular day.

[0025] It is contemplated by the present invention that the interchangeable holding means may be sold as a unit with a medical identification tag. It should also be understood that holding means can be obtained to be used with an existing medical identification tag. Holding means may also be provided as a kit including at least one medical identification tag and a plurality of interchangeable bracelets. These options will allow a wearer of the bracelet to select various colors and styles of the bracelets to wear on various occasions.

[0026] A medical identification apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also be sold in combination with other types of jewelry that match or compliment the holding means. For instance, the holding means may be provided in conjunction with a matching ring, other bracelet or necklace, watches, or earrings.

[0027] The invention has been described with reference to several embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing medical identification information, said apparatus comprising: a medical identification tag; means for holding said identification tag on a person's body; and means for releasably fastening said holding means to said medical identification tag, comprising male connecting means positioned on opposite ends of said medical identification tag and female connecting means positioned on opposite ends of said holding means.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said identification tag comprises a bracelet.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said identification tag comprises a necklace.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said female connecting means is selected from the group consisting of spring clasps, hinge clasps, hooks, spiral rings, jump rings and toggle clasps.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said male connecting means comprises apertures on opposite ends of said medical identification tag.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said male connecting means comprises rings attached to opposite ends of said medical identification tag.
 7. An apparatus for providing medical identification information, said apparatus comprising: a medical identification tag having a first end and a second end; means for holding said identification tag, said holding means having a first end and a second end; and means for releasably fastening said first end of said holding means to said first end of said medical identification tag and said second end of said holding means to said second end of said medical identification tag.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said holding means comprises a bracelet.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said holding means comprises a necklace.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said releasable fastening means consists of one member of the group consisting of spring clasps, hinge clasps, spiral clasps, hooks, jump rings, and toggle clasps.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said holding means comprises a plurality of beads positioned on jewelry wire.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said medical identification tag comprises a ring attached to each end of said medical identification tag.
 13. A medical identification bracelet comprising: a medical identification tag having apertures on opposite ends thereof; and a bracelet, wherein said bracelet has a spring clasp positioned on each end of said bracelet for releasably fastening said bracelet to said medical identification tag.
 14. The bracelet as recited in claim 13, wherein said bracelet comprises a plurality of beads positioned on a length of wire.
 15. A bracelet comprising: an identification tag, said identification tag having a first end and a second end; a first aperture proximate to said first end of said identification tag and a second aperture proximate to said second end of said identification tag; a bracelet portion having a first end and a second end; a first fastener at said first end of said bracelet portion wherein said first fastener is releaseably attached to said first aperture of said identification tag; and a second fastener at said second end of said bracelet portion wherein said fastener end portion is releaseably attached to said second aperture of said identification tag.
 16. The bracelet as recited in claim 15 wherein said bracelet portion is comprised of a plurality of beads strung on jewelry wire.
 17. The bracelet as recited in claim 15 wherein said fasteners are selected from the group consisting of spring clasps, hinge clasps, jump rings, spiral clasps, hooks, and toggle clasps.
 18. The bracelet as recited in claim 15 wherein said identification tag includes information regarding a medical condition of a wearer.
 19. The bracelet as recited in claim 15 wherein said identification tag comprises rings attached to opposite ends of said identification tag.
 20. A method of making a medical identification bracelet, said method comprising: providing a medical identification tag; providing a bracelet portion; and releasably attaching opposite ends of said bracelet to opposite ends of said medical identification tag. 